The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Wednesday adjourned till November 5 and 6 the case of Senate President Bukola Saraki who is facing a 13-count charge of false declaration of assets.
The tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, moved for the adjournment after listening arguments from Saraki’s lawyer, Joseph Daodu and government lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, on a pending case at the Court of Appeal.
On Tuesday, the pending appeal initiated by Saraki challenging the CCT’s jurisdiction was expected to get its verdict but was surprisingly postponed indefinitely.
Daodu brought up the appeal case after the Tribunal chairman ordered Saraki to enter the dock.
Saraki’s lawyer was backed by Jacobs, who notified the tribunal of the case at the Court of Appeal, noting that the appellate court which heard the case for 10 days admitted that it’s ruling was not ready
Jacobs stressed that the Tribunal ought to show regard for the Court of Appeal by putting the trail on hold pending when it delivers its judgement.
He appealed to the Tribunal to adjourn for two weeks, though he notified the tribunal that his witnesses were ready to proceed if tribunal wished to go ahead with the trial.
Daodu backed Jacobs’ argument but further urged the Tribunal to put the trail on hold indefinitely since no date was set by the appeal court for its judgement.
He also urged the tribunal to consider the position of the defendant as Senate President and his current national assignment of ministerial screening at the National Assembly.
However, Jacobs opposed the appeal for indefinite adjournment and asked the tribunal to disregard it, noting that Dauda was trying to intimidate the court.
He insisted that everybody is equal before the law.